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‘Tayo ang EDSA’: 35 years on, student leaders, faculty revisit significance of historic revolt in online forum

To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution, speakers from different generations shared their insights on the historic movement in Rekindling People Power: A Kapihan ng Malalayang Lasalyano Forum, an online seminar hosted by the Office of the Vice President for Lasallian Mission last February 26 on Facebook live. Information gap As…

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In bad faith: Reconciling SOGIE with religious freedom

The fight for gender equality in the Philippines has been a particularly long one. As early as 2000, an early version of a Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) bill had already been filed in Congress, drafted by then-Akbayan Rep. Etta Rosales and late Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago. Since then, at least 16 different versions…

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PH social media in the age of digital disinformation

President Rodrigo Duterte, in his weekly late-night address last September 28, launched into a sudden tirade against Facebook. “Facebook, listen to me. We allow you to operate here hoping that you could help us also. Now, if [the] government cannot espouse or advocate something which is for the good of the people, then what is…

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Against the odds: Voter registration continues amid health crisis

Despite calls for a postponement of voter registration due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has resumed accepting applications after a five-month delay last September 1 in areas not under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or Modified ECQ.  Comelec, however, has implemented extensive safety procedures to comply with public health measures. Face…

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With ABS-CBN’s franchise denied, what happens now?

The ABS-CBN shutdown is a chilling reminder of the state’s power to silence the opposition, but also of the importance of journalists continuing their work amid a bleak time for their profession.

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The Rundown: ABS-CBN franchise bid denied, Anti-Terror Act challenged, COVID-19 cases surpass 50,000

With eased lockdown measures, the reported cases of COVID-19 have continued to rise around the country, especially in parts of Metro Manila. Meanwhile, more local government units were also put under new community quarantine regulations.  Government priorities continue to be questioned amid rising infection rates, with ABS-CBN’s bid for franchise renewal quashed in Congress and…

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Mitigate not eliminate: Countering the COVID-19 infodemic

Before COVID-19 escalated into a pandemic, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned world leaders against another issue that may arise. “[We’re] not just fighting an epidemic; we’re fighting an infodemic,” he argued then.  According to the WHO, an infodemic occurs when there is “an excessive amount of information about a problem”…

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The Rundown: Fears over ‘second’ COVID-19 wave, Sinas to stay, first tranche of SAP nears completion

More than two months since quarantine measures were implemented nationwide, public confusion still persists as government authorities’ efforts continue to fall short in alleviating the effects of the pandemic on citizens. The LaSallian looks back at the nationwide happenings in the past week, including contradictory pronouncements from government officials; continuing developments for the media and…

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The Rundown: PH faces modified quarantine, typhoon damage, testing woes

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to loom over the Philippines, authorities and organizations continue efforts to combat the spread of the disease, such as the Department of Health’s (DOH) progress in case detection, government aid for those in need, and new quarantine guidelines. As the nation continues to adjust to the outbreak, The LaSallian takes…

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A comparative look at the authorized powers of the President

Despite work suspensions, the Senate and the House of Representatives called for special sessions last March 23 to officially declare a national emergency and grant President Rodrigo Duterte “powers necessary and proper” to deal with the increasing damage caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Under Article VI, Section 23 (2) of the 1987…